IRB Exam - Sunday
25th March 2007
Joel Oxborrow, Chris Palmer, Eden Palmer & Andrew De Vine
(Omaha) being put through their paces on a messy surf day so
they can gain their IRB qualification. Conditions were
testing to say the least, and everyone did a fantastic job,
with all IRB's staying upright in the surf.

As we all know, Rod formally departed from the surfclub this
season to take up new job prospects in Whakatane. A few of the
guards turned out to farewell Rod with a quiet beverage and
the presentation of a thank you for your many years of hard
work gift.

Rod has been a foundation of the surfclub for many years, and
has undertaken many of the admin duties which take up a lot of
time, and often go unrecognised. Rod has done all of this
without being asked, and without complaint, which has meant
that we, as lifeguards, have been able to provide the service
we love, being lifeguards on our beach. Running a volunteer
organisation like ours is not easy but Rod makes it seem so
with his carefree laid back attitude.

We will greatly miss Rod's input into the club, and his
experience on the beach. Rod has run effective patrols on the
beach for many years, helping contribute to the regional
mission of "being committed to the prevention of drowning and
injury in the aquatic environment through the provision of
lifeguarding, water safety and education services." He has
done with whilst also managing to train new lifeguards, and
motivate and upskill his existing lifeguards which has given
our club a much stronger position this season than we have
ever been in the past.

Thanks again Rod for all of your hard work, we hope to see you
back on occasion next season, and will always keep a beer cold
for you for when you do return to take up your duties again.

Lindsay

(thanks also go out to Jenny Brown and her team for organising
Rod's farewell gift, Lana for providing the photos and to Matt
for organising the crate to keep the farewell party going!!)